Calling: Discerning and Strengthening Your Call to Plant

Host Tony Merida welcomes Jared C. Wilson, Mark Lee, and Shane Pruitt to discuss the planter’s calling. In their discussion, they define calling, share personal experiences, identify external markers, and caution against misconceptions. As part of the nine essentials for church planters, understanding calling is critical for being faithful and effective.

Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C, and is the vice president of planter development for Send Network. He also serves as a Board member for The Gospel Coalition. Tony has written several books including, The Christ-Centered Expositor, Love Your Church, and multiple volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series. He’s happily married to Kimberly, and they have five children.

Jared C. Wilson is pastor for preaching and director of the pastoral training center at Liberty Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri, and an assistant professor of pastoral ministry and author in residence at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of over 25 books and the co-host of the For The Church Podcast and The Heart of Pastoring Podcast. Jared and his wife, Becky, have been married for 29 years.

Mark Lee planted VantagePoint Church in Eastvale, California in 2008. Since then, the church has helped plant 10 other churches around the country. Mark also serves on the Lead Team of Church Planters for Send Network.

Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board. He and his wife, Kasi, reside in Rockwall, Texas, with their children. He has been in ministry for over 20 years as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor. Shane is also a traveling communicator, evangelist, and Bible teacher. Every year he speaks to over a hundred thousand people about the good news of Jesus Christ. He has written two books,9 Common Lies Christians Believe: And Why God’s Truth Is Infinitely Better and Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership. He is also one of the host ofThe GenSend Podcast.